Lubrication of vehicle springs



July 12, 1927. 1,635,413

F. G. HIRST LUBRICATION 0F VEHICLE SPRINGS Filed Feb. 23. 1922 W I TNESSES: INV EN TUR:

Patented July 12, i927.

einem;einenV Qf appiiauqn mea Aprire, i921, seriaiivq, assess. 4Prins. appiipation y 1,922.k serial No. 533,532.4 v

My invention relates to the lubrication of vehicle springs and the like, and isfvery suitable and advantageous for the springs o motor vehicles such as` automobiles and trucks. rlhe invention is particularly conceruediwi'th the internal or k@ne important objectl of my invention is to lubrica-te leaf springs in 'a simple and effective, manner,l and to obviate all necessity for special construction orrmodii'ication of the springsor their component leaves. VI aim to effect the lubricationv by 'p means of simple devices, adapted to beeasilyf and v quickly applied to springs' already in servlice on motor vehicles,even by relatively unskilled and inexperienced persons, I" also aim to provide for cleansing or freeing such springs ot dirt, rust, or yadhesion between the leaves (so as to enhance the goed eectsy of lubrication) as easily Aand conveniently as y possible, without needy of taking the leaves y apart 'oreven dismounting the springs.

Since most oi' the spring troubles and failures on motor vehicles are dueto lack or inf effectiveness of `lubrication in the spfngs,

my invention not only makes sucliivehicles ride more smoothly and c0rnortably,-with less .jolting andbouncingffbut also reduces they expenditure for repairs, and minimizes 40 kens the f accidents due to breakage of springs.

Hitherto, it has been proposedto groove or channel the upper tween them. The formation of such grooves orl channels is troublesome and, v 'operatioin and makes the hardening and lchanneling Wea expensive; also, the

springs, andA does not give very lsatisfactory A distribution of vthe oil.

Iv have discovered, -liowever, that such ivith, and its disadvantages in manufacture Vand service A*avoided or obviated.V At the same time, perfectly uniform and satisfactory distribution iof lubricant between the springs can be secured. Forv this purpose, it

j is of advantage for the faces ofthe leaves to' be hollowed'vor concaved transversely somewhat. Such hollowing or'concaving' can be produced during `manufacture ofthe leaves,

without any of the expensive' special operation-s required to Jiorm grooves or channels in them. Indeed, l

interlaminal, lubrication Vof leaiasprings, includingthoseA 'of the more usual curved and elliptical type. v

4duped between tlielea'ves.l ,n l

Various.. means may be employed for in-f lfaces of spring leaves 1 f j for the purpose of conveying lubricant be- Y costly Urooving or channeling can be dispensed rig. ii,`

have foundthat the-'feces' @Het .elder medals-v .raANKLiN e. masa, or Permanenza-nia,

Y LUBnIcATroiv or vergrote sritiites;

Petter-evalua duce'Cl as' an.incident ofmanuitacture by the usual methods o rpresent practice) that ordi-- f narily suffices for thepurposes yof myinvenf riea.; a3 .f

tion when ylub ricating is'v suitablyintro-fv tro'ducing oil, between superposed spring leaves with their juxtaposed facesplai'n and 'unchannelech in order to lubricate the springs yin accordance with my' invention,

The means which I have devised for this purpose aiford'sl special advantages'which 4will* become apparentfrom my description hereinafte'rot the best forin embodiment known tome. Aswill readily be perceived in eai'is can also be ,employed `to* advantage yuh-.spense Composed@ facally dhanald eaves."

of' my priorpapplication Serial No. 458,380, lliled April 4, 1921, for Leaf spring `lubricating device;7 'as' to common' eatures disclosed in the` two applications. *n "f .In the drawings, Fie# 'S @Somewhat dagramniatic and exaggerated transverse sec? tional view, illustrating a vfacial' liollovving "pbythose skilledV inimithe art, however, 'this f lMy present application continuation Y.

v i yor concavity of superposed .spring leaves suchl as adapts a spring for' lubrication y i i 'Sall'than .the other figures; l l a Fig.[l is a fragmentary from Oia.

accordance withiny inventiom-#on va Vlarger motor vehicle of' a )light and popular make,

illustrating tlieapplication ot myllubricating device to its forward spring to lubricate' the'same in accordance with myinvention.;l

Fig. III is a cross section through thexcenv tral portionot thefspring and adjacent'parts y ofthe'vehicle trarneVY showing tlie'lubricat- 1 king d'e'vice'rin place. ,Y Y y "i IIIa shows a horizontal section, taken y .Fig l Y v vas indicatedby the line'vIIIa-IIP inkv Fig;

Ill, through alubricating receptacle ay bolt eXtendingthereinto, and (illustrates. the

relations betweeni'the receptacle and a" nut on ia front 'spring arrangeiriei'itv used-'on Ford parts votiny device', on a y'larger scale than Y i Fig. VI is a similar view illustrating certain modifications that adapt the device to Y the rear springs .of Ford cars.

iok

Fig. VII is a perspective view ofone of the parts use d in the latter application; Vand Fig. VIII is a. perspective view of a spec] al *washer'which maybe used in either of the applications of my invention aforesaid. p

Y. The Ford cal'Y springs shownin the drawings are of the superposed leaf type. The leaves 1 kot such springs vare concaved on Y both faces,y as an incident of manufacture, to

.a degree sutlicient for the purposes of myini Vvention,-as indicated by the interspaces 2 in Fig. I due to their concavity.

VIn the eustomaryFord construction illustrated in Figs. II and III, the front spring is Vsecured tothe superjacent member 11 of the vehicle body frame by means of a special 4 inverted U-shaped or yoke-like spring clip l12 embracing them. The screw-threaded clip` legs 13 eXtend dow-n through aperturedears or lugs 14 on a plate member 15, which is clamped .and held against the lower side of the spring 10 by means of nuts 16'onthe bolt-like legs 13. For convenience, the

j .leaves are secured together independently of l the clip 12, partlyby means of a bolt 17 eX- tending through the entire set at the middle .of the spring 10. The removable head member or nut; 18 of the bolt 17 is accommodated f in a central opening (shown as a .round Y hole located between its clip-'leg holes) inV the member 15. A sheet metal license-tagclip (not shown), apertured to take the vlegs 13, is usually interposed betweenthe spring llO i *I andthe member 15.

In applying my lubricating device here illustrated to this spring arrangement, I first remove the member 15 and the usuallicensetag bracket or .clip (not shown). In actual practice, the main clippart 12 need not be removed: it is omitted from Fig. IV, how-v ever, in order t-oy renderv other parts more clearly and completely visible. I then re-v move the usual nut 18 from the securing bolt 17, andeither substitute a special head member or nut 21 :(here shown as hexagonal) in vwhose upper side are a number of radial grooves -or channels Y22v or lnterpose Aa grooved washer suchv as shown 1n Fig. VIII.

In either' case, a grooved nut is in effect provided; and means of communication is thus 'y afforded between the clearance spacein the VVspring leaves around the bolt 17 and the exterior of the nut- 21, at the side of thelnut adjacent Vthe spring 10, without necessity for replacing `or doing anything to the bolt.`

j Before replacing the member 15, I insert in its central opening a cup-like oil receptacle 25whose upperend or lip 26 comprises an external supporting flangev adapted to rest and bear against the upper side of the member 15. Into a tapped opening in the lower portion of the receptacle 25, Ivscrew a bent tube 27 on whose upperend is screwed a cap `28 with a vent or oil hole 29, see Fig. III.

The upward eXtendingrpoi-tion of the tube 27 serves as a sort of stand pipeor reservoir for supplying oil to ther receptacle 25 and to oil the leaves of the spring,vextending upward past thespring lOband the superjacent f body member 11. n Y y The usual. clearance of the holes 1n the spring leaves 1 around the bolt 17 a'liords a channel extending upward through the set along the bolt, vand the channel grooves 22 communication with the interior of the receptacle 25; so that oil from the receptacle 25 may ascend in the upward channel and be distributed lengthwise ot the leaves 1 via their interspaces 2. rIhe upper bolt head closes the ascending ,channel through the leaves 1 at its upper end and prevents escape of oil there.

In order to insure against leakage between the upper edge or hpr 26 of the receptacle 25 -and the lower sideV of the spring 10, a Hat lof the nut21 put this upward channel in 'tree y eessive local squeezing of the gasket 3() when v the nuts 14 are drawn up on the part 15 sufcientlyto make the joint tight all around.

The ordinary license-tag bracketmay be .ren`

V.placed by the special sheet metal bracket 31, whose fiat portion between the member 15 and the lower side of the` spring 10 has an opening 32 to accommodate the receptacle flange 26. Y j

Y As here shown (Figs. VIII and IIIH'), the

lreceptacle 25 is of such internal diameter as to engage 'somewhat loosely and be thereby centered around the bolt -head member 21.y

The gasket 30 engages and is centered around the member 21 in like manner.V Also,n

the part 15 engages closely but loosely around the receptacle 25, and. is thereby centered thereabout and with reference to the bolt 17. The opening 32 in the license-.tag bracket 31 is o1 such diameter'that the j bracket engages closely but loosely around the reeeptacletlange 26, and is thus properly centered and allocated.` As shown, the

gasket 30 is ot somewhat greater outside diameter than the flange 26, and the hole 32, so that the` margin of the gasket is squeezed against the bracket to hold thelat-ter lirm againstrattling.

By lmeans, ofthe device just described, oil for lubrication `,can be introducedV at the lower-endet the upward channel through the spring leaves 1,k to ascend in said channel and be distributed between the leaves' as already indica-ted.' In like manner, conipressed an', kerosene oil, or other cleansing agent can be introduced and torcedv out between the spring leaves 1,' so asl to removeA dirt or rust that may eitlierfbe clogging i their iiiterspaces against passage of lubricat- 'or cleansing. vkor other such special `and definite channels, the lubricantor otheragent tends to simply ing oil, or ,else be causing interadhesion'ot the leavesv or other 7ise resisting their tree and easy movement relative to yone anotlier,l- Vor both. It the spring has been in service follow the paths of leastj resistance thus marked out for it; Whereas in the absence of such channels, it penetrates and permeates all through the interspaces betweenA the leaves in seeking and clearing apassage for itself throughout their length..V lVith the ascending arc'torm and arrangement'ot the spring `10, gravity aids in causing the V,Oil

to loiv lengthwise toward either end of the spring, once it has entered the interspaces 2 at the high point of the arc.

In the older 1Iord construction, illustrated in Fig. V, thevfront spring 10l is secured to the superjacent body frame/'member (not shown) by a pair of the usual lstirrup yoke clips 40, 40, instead of by the Vspecial clip 12 ot Figs. II and III, and there is no part vcorresponding to the plate inemberf 1 5. In

his case, therefore, I employ a special plate member ll1 With a central aperturefor the i'eceptacle'25 corresponding in size to the vcentral aperture of the part 15. The ends of this member 41 are clamped and heldagainst the bottom ofthe spring 10 b'y the clips 40,

40, and thus the receptacle 25 is also held,

thereagainst. In e`ect, the plate 41 forms with the stirrup yoles 40 a special clip analogous to that of Fig. 1.

rlhe rear spring shown in Fie.V VI 'is bent and curved in ascending'arc much more sharply than the frontspring 10 ot Figs. II-IV, and is secured .to the superjacent body frame member 51 by the same ordinary stirrup-clips 40, 40 as in Fig. III. Owing tok the greater bend or curvature ot Vthe spring 50, I prefer to employ .a plate member 52 correspondingly bent or curved Vin ascending arc, so as to be easily clamped up tight enough in the bend of the spring to hold the .receptacle 25 `rmly against the spring. In order to adord adequate and substantially springs arranged in plane lor uniform bearingforfthe receptacle flange- 26, I prefer to provide an upstanding the Iseat 53 can `readily be 'tormed'by pressing against a plane surface from the` concave side ivi-tha punch hole. y

I have describedl my invention andV somewhat larger `than the seat53 about the receptacle opening lin the*y Vmember 52. When the member 52 ismade et sheet ifnetal apertured vand bentto'sliape, 70v4 i iii-y lubricating device with.' special Treffer ence toy use on aFord'car witlibowved-le'af apparent thatvin its broader aspects the *inf vention is not limited to the Fordcar, nor to thisparticulartype orl arrangement ot springs, nor even' to the particular' form" and ascending are, it will 'be j arrangement of the lubricating device shown, I

but can, on the contrary,VV be otherwiseapplied, adapted, carried out, or embodied-` Having `thus ldescribed my invention, I y

`lclaimY o Y., A. Y

Y 1. rI`he combination 4With a leaf-spring comprising a set ot'superpcsedleaves, a 'ses curing bolt .extending through them with a channel along its exterior, and-ahead ni'ei-nber against the spfri-ngycf an oil' receptacle Vinounted about and' internally A'engaging sait headmeinber, and thereby centered around it, with its interior in communication With said channel.

2'. The combination 4with a` leatspiing con'iprising afset ot superposed leaves; and a securing bolt extending through them with a channel therealong and a head member against the spring; of anV oil'receptacle in teriially engaging said head` member and thereby centered about` it, 'With means of communication between its interior and said channel at the side of said head member admeVA jacent'the spring, 4and means for holding l said receptacle against the spring.

3. The combination with a leaf springV comprising a set of superposed leaves, anda securing bolt extending through them with a channel thercalong and ahead member against the spring; of an oil receptacle about said head member, Withl means 'of communication between its interior and said channel at the'side ot said head member adjacent the spring; and a gasket interposedbetween receptacley and spring internally engagingsaidy head member and thereby centered around-it.`

Il. rI`he combination with a vehicleleat spring comprising a set ol superposed leaves,-

and a securing bolt `extending through themV with a channel therealong anda head inember againstthe spring; otfan v externally flanged oil receptacle internally engaging said head vmember and thereby centered with said channel;` an apertured member around said receptacle against its aforesaid .flange serving to hold the receptacle against the spring; and a gasket interposedbetween vabout it, withv its interior in 'communication n said receptacle and Ythe springalso internally engaging and thereby centered around 'and' servinr to hold the receptacle against the spring.`

6. rhe Combination with a` vehicle body member and a subjacent spring comprising a setol superposed leaves having a channel through them; ot a clip for securing said spring to said member, including a part at the lower side of saidspring with an oil receptaele in communication with said Achannel; and standpipe screwed into the wall Y 'of ysaid chamber and extending upward past ber.

said spring and the superjaeent bodymem- 7 The eombinationi'vith a vehicle spring lcomprising a set ot super-posed leaves having a channel through them; of av Clip `inveluding a' member with an opening at the lower side of said spring; an oil receptacle seated in said opening, with its interior 1n :communication with said channel; and a standpipe screwed into thefwall of said receptacle below said apertured member.

8. The Vcombination with a vehicle spring con'iprising a set of superposed leaves, a securing bolt extending through them with a' channel a long` its exterior, and a superjaoent body frame member; ol a clip 'for securing the spring to eaidbody frame member, including means embracing member and spring and an apertured' plate secured thereby at the lower side of the spring; an oil receptacle seated in the opening of said plate; a removable nut on .said bolt aording lcommunication between said channel and-the interior. said receptacle; and a standpipe detaehably secured to said receptacle below said plate.

9. Thecombination with a vehicle spring comprising a set et superposed leaves having a channel through them; 'of a clip including an apertured member at the lower e Y side ol said spring an oil receptacle-seated in. the opening of said member againstthe lower side of said spring, with its interior in communication with said channel; Yand a license tag bracket with an apertured portion around said receptacle, between the spring and the aforesaid apertured member. l

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name atV Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 16th day of February, 1922.

' FRANKLIN o. meer. Y 

